*Originally written August 20th, 2017*
"Wind beneath my wings"
The Hitman's Bodyguard is more or less exactly what I expected from the trailers, no better or worse. It's a merely passable and watchable action comedy that thrives on Samuel L Jackson and Ryan Reynolds chemistry.
The biggest problem is easily the film's tone. It goes a little too serious and sometimes quite horrific (Seeing a man's family get gunned down by a very out of place Gary Oldman doesn't make for good material in a stupid action comedy). Gary Oldman does seem like he's in a completely different film, a genocidal dictator who takes things far too seriously. It was just bizarre and not in place with the rest of the film at all.
Everything is just fine for the most part. Things shine most when it's just spending time with Jackson and Reynolds. These guys work insanely well together. Jackson has the time in full "Motherfucker" mode. Honestly, he says "Motherfucker" more times than I think he ever has in his entire career. While Reynolds does his sarcastic thing. The balance between the two works well. Jackson's character never takes anything seriously, mocking any kind of moment close too seriousness. Him undercutting Oldman towards the end was one of the highlights.
The film stretches its two run-time to breaking point. This easily could have been a 90 minute film, but instead they pad it out with a lot of unnecessary detours than easily could have been trimmed for a leaner and tighter film.
Patrick Hughes at least directs some solid and violent action scenes. He's not hampered by that PG-13/12A rating he was forced to work with on Expendables 3, so there is some at least very violent and dark gallows humour thrown into here. It feels very much like a homage to the films of the '80s and '90s. Midnight Run and 48 Hours being the most obvious that come to mind. I have yet to see The Bodyguard, so I'm not entirely sure if this is a straight up spoof of that, which the trailers and posters made it out to be.
The Hitman's Bodyguard really is what it is. A fun, passable summer action comedy that suffers from a tonal identity crisis and it's a bit too long, but Reynolds and Jackson really shine together.
6/10 Dans
The Hitman's Bodyguard is out now in cinemas in the UK
Watch the trailer below:
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